The Conservative Cave
The Bar => The Lounge => Topic started by: bijou on June 06, 2011, 12:18:12 PM
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These days, camping isn’t just pitching a tent in the wilderness on a long hike, or stopping at a campground far from home on a road trip.
For many leisure travelers, camping nowadays might involve driving just a few miles from home to spend the night in a cabin with a roof, bathroom, beds and electricity, or taking the kids to a place that offers activities and entertainment like scavenger hunts or sports competitions.
About 25 miles from Columbus, Ohio, the Lazy River at Granville campground offers activities and entertainment ranging from a zip line to magic shows to arts and crafts. For those who bring laptops and TV sets, there’s wireless Internet and cable service. One of the most popular attractions at Lazy River is the “bug lady,†a local woman who takes visitors on nature walks and points out bugs.
“She’s the Pied Piper of bugs,†said Mark Kasper, owner of Lazy River. “She just entrances her audience.â€
Kasper said that when he was young, “you’d go to the state park and watch a presentation with a ranger and a movie. Now it’s different. We try to have everything the modern-day person wants, and yet you’re away from the city.â€
Jeff Crider, spokesman for the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, said you still can find plenty of campgrounds that offer a natural setting and a nice environment for kayaking, fishing or river tubing. “But what the parks are finding is that more and more families want things to do,†he said. “And fun activities are a way to get kids away from computers and iPods and do something as a family.â€
Jolene Baxman organizes an annual two-night trip for a dozen mothers and their kids to a Kampgrounds of America facility in Petaluma, Calif., a mere five miles from where she lives. But they don’t pitch tents. They rent a lodge with a bathroom, indoor shower, kitchenette, barbecue grill and, of course, beds.
“It’s not far from our homes but it feels like we’re camping,†Baxman said. “We’re out in the woods; it’s very beautiful — lush trees and you don’t hear any cars around. We’re not in a tent, but it’s camping to us.†...
link (http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/5714459-423/camping-not-just-pitching-a-tent-anymore.html)
When the apocalypse comes and she has to camp out, she'll be in for a shock. :-)
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Camping is not "camping" any more. Staying in your RV with A/C, and driving around in a towed vehicle is not camping. It's just a much more economical way of traveling.
No problem with that, but it's not camping.
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:thatsright: and I came here to see a "Pitched Tent" :naughty: thought it was Weinergate II
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:thatsright: and I came here to see a "Pitched Tent" :naughty: thought it was Weinergate II
Of course you did. :-)
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:thatsright: and I came here to see a "Pitched Tent" :naughty: thought it was Weinergate II
Be careful what you hope for! :rotf:
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I was reading one of my magazines yesterday which threw out a new term called "glamping" aka glamorous camping. Which is basically what was talked about in the original post - laptops, TVs, RV's, etc.
Whenever my mom tells me my dad & her went camping, I asked if they took the RV. When she says, "yes", I kindly told her she was not camping.
What I would like to do is actually go camping at Sunset Crater in Arizona. We just want to wait until Carleigh is old enough to really enjoy it and understand it.
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I was reading one of my magazines yesterday which threw out a new term called "glamping" aka glamorous camping. Which is basically what was talked about in the original post - laptops, TVs, RV's, etc.
Whenever my mom tells me my dad & her went camping, I asked if they took the RV. When she says, "yes", I kindly told her she was not camping.
What I would like to do is actually go camping at Sunset Crater in Arizona. We just want to wait until Carleigh is old enough to really enjoy it and understand it.
Being among the "elderly" now, with the assorted aches and pains of arthritis, my wife and took our popup and stayed at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon last September. Still crowded that late in the year, though.
And cold. A 30 MPH whistling through the pine trees makes things rather "chilly."
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I enjoy real camping. In high school I used to go on backpacking trips up in the Sierra's, and my friends and I try to go camping (in a tent) every summer. We usually have bathrooms nearby, because they are wimps, but it is fun.
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Some more luxury camping (http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/865361-indoor-caravan-park-offers-camping-experience-with-a-twist)
Indoor caravan park offers camping experience with a twist
Forget traffic jams, wind swept campsites and a wet march to the shower block – a new indoor caravan park is offering a camping experience with style.
(http://img.metro.co.uk/i/pix/2011/06/05/article-1307287587260-0C695B1900000578-381305_636x460.jpg)
Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/865361-indoor-caravan-park-offers-camping-experience-with-a-twist#ixzz1OWqCaj6W
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These people need to die in a campfire. :thatsright:
Actually, if it keeps them out of the real woods, GOOD.
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The first thing when we get to a site = campfire! :yahoo:
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The first thing when we get to a site = campfire! :yahoo:
Yep, that is best part of camping :fuelfire:
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My first summer in college, I lived in a tent with 3 other counselors at a Girl Scout camp in central Illinois.
We did have a wood floor, and we slept on metal cots. We had a lantern, and flashlights....and gigantic spiders. For 9 weeks, I slept in that tent. Through heat, humidity, and thunderstorms.
It was quite a hike to the bath house for sinks, showers, and toilets....with concrete floors and more spiders. It was a very dark hike at night, so we had very green grass around our tent. :-)
It was a longer hike to the dining hall....it had electricity, and screen windows, and more sipders.
The lake - where I worked for 9 hours a day - teaching swimming, canoeing, and lifeguarding - was beyond the dining hall. The lake didn't have spiders in it. It had snakes and cow poop that washed into the lake from the pastures on either side of the camp.
My idea of camping? A hotel without room service.
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This is how I roll! I have 2 of these and love them! They have been thru all kinds of weather and kept me warm and dry. Fly in fishing can be a bitch without the right tent!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/Hunting%20and%20Camp/2009%20November%20Hunt/IMG_2400.jpg)
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I pretty much refuse to stay at any campground that you can get a RV or campervan into.
All require 4x4 high clearance access and a little bit of offroading ability.
It means you don't have some asshole running a generator to power their TV and sat receiver when they should be relaxing fireside with an adult beverage.
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(http://www.talking-bear.com/images/knshoot0904.jpg)
Real camping :-) :-) :-)
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Camping in crocodile country.
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j191/lc_efa/Old%20Photos/DSCF0006.jpg)
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our setup on the Spring River
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/199299_10150117302575686_718405685_7181833_8153739_n.jpg)
and it snowing
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/188510_209236862436838_100000515776309_815215_3227369_n.jpg)
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I camped in a pup tent in the dead of winter when I was a kid. Nothing like waking up to fresh snow.
I camped in a pick-up camper when I was younger. I had a great class C.
And today I finished up my second full day of detailing the Class A Motor Home (in the spirit of the unofficial Navy Motto, Work it may, Shine it must.") . Bells and whistles galore.
I will confess the ice maker is a bit of over kill but I really do enjoy the clean bathroom facilities on the road.
Now diesel is a bit pricey, but hey, I am moving a complete house. :lmao:
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3 mile hike to this:
(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k179/Apogeespeaker/5-29-2007-13.jpg)
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I hate camping anymore.
Started chasing cows in the Rockies in my twenties and was over the romance of it all within a few days. Pretty well avoided outfits that put you in a tent after that. Freaking bears, wolves, errant cattle stomping all over camp... blech.
Don't mind camps without water, electricity, gas-powered refrigerators or lights. I can get by without all of it. But really like having a floor, a roof, doors and windows. Even if the floor is well-swept dirt that is almost rock hard. I like it.
Youngest is headed to college this fall. Is insisting we go camping in the mountains again. I probably will. It's gonna take a lot of s'mores to keep mama happy, though! :-)
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Rock Island
East Tennessee
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/37919_441215045685_718405685_5973839_1904497_n.jpg)
Caney Fork River
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/37952_440906100685_718405685_5967872_1407231_n.jpg)
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I was reading one of my magazines yesterday which threw out a new term called "glamping" aka glamorous camping. Which is basically what was talked about in the original post - laptops, TVs, RV's, etc.
Whenever my mom tells me my dad & her went camping, I asked if they took the RV. When she says, "yes", I kindly told her she was not camping.
What I would like to do is actually go camping at Sunset Crater in Arizona. We just want to wait until Carleigh is old enough to really enjoy it and understand it.
Sunset crater outside of Flagstaff? I've been there. loved it. Not a lot of shade, but soft cinders for kids to play in. Just remember the lava flows are very sharp! I cut my finger on one.
One advantage is the cinder bed is very deep, so all the bathrooms have running water and flushing toilets. No open pits for restroom here.
Also the Indian ruins along the main loop road are really fun. they are castle like, and all car accessible. You can climb about in them. Worth taking a kid to see.
(The loop road takes you through Sunset crater and the Watputki Ruins one fee covers both parks)
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I pretty much refuse to stay at any campground that you can get a RV or campervan into.
All require 4x4 high clearance access and a little bit of offroading ability.
It means you don't have some asshole running a generator to power their TV and sat receiver when they should be relaxing fireside with an adult beverage.
KaCHING!!!!!!
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Did enough "camping" in Uncle Sam's service. Thing is, my daughter may want to do it (camping) in the future. My wife sure does.
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My little tent. :whistling:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/tucker13/special/2011-03-20103026.jpg)
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Phhht, that's a house.......
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This is taking it "easy", no power and cell phones don't get out. Just the way I like it.
(http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll146/katlilrascals/Pilot/012.jpg)
About 2 miles further in at University Falls:
(http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll146/katlilrascals/Pilot/008.jpg)
My daughter loved it.
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Some more examples of "rough camps"
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j191/lc_efa/uploads/CampTC.jpg)
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j191/lc_efa/uploads/CampMS.jpg)
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j191/lc_efa/uploads/campLP.jpg)
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I love LOVE camping in the great outdoors!!! My sister, not so much(Her idea is the Hilton)!!! pitched tent, dugout potties, river or stream nearby, campfires and smores. A wine cooler or two.A night sky full of stars, crickets chirping.... Makes you feel alive!!!!
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I've never gone camping, something that bothers me. Someday I'll have to go but I don't know anything about it.
When I was a kid my parents wouldn't take me or my sisters because it was "too much work" or because "we'd be board" or some other excuse. Same with anything else to do with nature. Basically I'm screwed if I ever have to survive.
But I do like people who take tents, they don't hog the road with those huge caravans and do 75km/h on the highway.
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But I do like people who take tents, they don't hog the road with those huge caravans and do 75km/h on the highway.
Those would be the same assholes that refuse to pull over and let traffic past when travelling on the single lane width strip of tar or the dirt roads and refuse to put one wheel off the side and force oncoming traffic completely off the road onto the dirt. The same assholes that refuse to listen to highway channel on the radio and are the bane of all other motorists.
I like blowing past them in a shower of big road rocks when finally given the opportunity.
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IMO, I feel people that drive these fancy RV's, or pulling a fifth wheel, really should have to get a specialo license to drive it...People have no concept of what it is really like.
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IMO, I feel people that drive these fancy RV's, or pulling a fifth wheel, really should have to get a specialo license to drive it...People have no concept of what it is really like.
Truer words..........
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Some more examples of "rough camps"
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j191/lc_efa/uploads/CampTC.jpg)
Not shown: Rodents of unusual size, poisonous reptiles, and flesh-eating insects.
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I like blowing past them in a shower of big road rocks when finally given the opportunity.
Just took a defensive driving course and you are considered an aggressive driver. :lmao:
Road Rage:
~Using a vehicle as a weapon with intent to do harm
~Driving in a bold, selfish, or pushy manner without regard for the rights or safety of other drivers
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Just took a defensive driving course and you are considered an aggressive driver. :lmao:
Road Rage:
~Using a vehicle as a weapon with intent to do harm
~Driving in a bold, selfish, or pushy manner without regard for the rights or safety of other drivers
Yes..
Your point is ?
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IMO, I feel people that drive these fancy RV's, or pulling a fifth wheel, really should have to get a specialo license to drive it...People have no concept of what it is really like.
In your experience what do you see as the difference? Shall we begin with a test for common sense? Lets face it, the world is full of marginal drivers who tail gate, bobbing and weaving like Cassius Clay, waiting for the first opportunity to blast by any obstruction to their "God Given Right" not to be inconvenienced in any way while using the motor way that they themselves paid for. Eventually these highway versions of Richard Petty can be found wrapped around a tree when they misjudge distance, speed, acceleration, and, braking ability. Other times they are seen sitting beside the road explaining their angst to a kindly Trooper.
I have no problem requiring a CDL rating to drive a Motor Home or pull a trailer but I am betting I would be in a small minority.
When I am asked about the level of difficulty I always point to the 5'2" school bus driver who has a lot more going with kids and still manages to drive her yellow 40' foot 'diesel pusher' or shift drives the semi with her old man.
:fuelfire:
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I miss real camping and backpacking. Ready to graduate next may so I can really get down to planning my hike up the PCT from SoCal to Canada. :yahoo: 2600 miles with everything I need either on my back or in towns a week or more apart. Doesn't get better than that. :yahoo:
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Thats one hell of an endevor. Parts of the trail are in some damn rough areas. If you do it, post some pics!
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I miss real camping and backpacking. Ready to graduate next may so I can really get down to planning my hike up the PCT from SoCal to Canada. :yahoo: 2600 miles with everything I need either on my back or in towns a week or more apart. Doesn't get better than that. :yahoo:
I watched a documentary about these hikers that do that, more particular the Applachian trail. It was amazing how long they do it and under what conditions.
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Hubby being a city boy is not your camping fan, or was not until me met the drunk crazy people at a 3 day Fiddlers convention in N.C.
We took a 2 man pup tent, food, lots of ice and about 6 cases of beer. This was not my first time at this form of entrainment. Hubby had never been in the Smokey Mountains an had no idea what to expect.
We finally got the tent up with all kinds of extra tie downs that he found to be over kill, I went looking for a downed tree branch about 6 feet tall to use as a walking staff. Question from better half, "what the heck do you need that for" :-) :-).
The only advice I could give him to keep him safe in these neck of the woods was to not to turn his ball cap around, in some parts of Carolina unless you ride a bike, a backward cap is a sign of your wanting to fight.
So here we are up in the hills thousands of day trippers or weekend folk coming in and music from noon to past midnight.
First night the wind whipped up and tents were flying around, dozens of drunks and drugged folks were racing about in the wee early morning trying to catch up their stuff as it went flying away, we just lay and listened to the cussing and the bangs as flimsy bbq's went falling over. Flat lander that had no idea of what the weather could do in the mountains. I said not a word, just smerked to myself.
Next night not much of a breeze and we spent the day listening to music, watching Cloggers and wandering up and down the trail up the mountain to the stage area.
About noon hubby is off in the woods looking for a branch to make himself a staff. I said not a word just smerked to myself.
That night as he complained about the hard ground under the tent, over flowing porta potties, bugs, snakes and wild life that must be 10 miles off once the Music cut in, he had one of the eye opening evens that we still laugh about.
The couple in the next tent , the male had passed out and his date was lonely. She brought a young thing she had picked up to a space between our tents and proceded to try to molest him most soundly '
In our tent I thought Hubby was sleeping and then I noticed his body shaking oddly, he was trying to not laugh out loud. The next hour was difficult for both of us as we had to bury our heads in our pillows not to make a sound.
Voyeurism, you bet your ass, that woman tried anything to get that man into a strangle hold.
As last resort she when a frog croaked, she gave a pitiful cry and told he male she was afraid of FROGS.
Hold me, hold me the FROGS will get me. Sheess, hear that, there is another one.
Sad to say both of us had laughed so much into our pillows we both had to pee big time and squatted behind the tent rather the head out in the dark.
When we got back the Frog lady and new friend were gone, next day we packed up to come home and the Frog Lady came over to offer us some morning coffee.
Interesting people one meets camping, Hubby says he will never go camping again, but we have added a new word to our family history, if we do not believe something we ask each other if they are croaking on me. Or Darn are you afraid of frogs???
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Not shown: Rodents of unusual size, poisonous reptiles, and flesh-eating insects.
Why did you pitch your tent on Skin's Island? :popcorn:
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Why did you pitch your tent on Skin's Island? :popcorn:
I'd rather the rodents , insects and reptiles to the DUmmies any day of the week,